Dispensing pump valve structure



Jan. 11, 1966 w. STElM-AN 3,228,570

DISPENSING PUMP VALVE STRUCTURE Filed May 27, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l F 19Ti .5 Z8\"Z4 Q15 Z8 24 Z 46 4 M J26 L 22 42 6 1 @042 K5 E b8 57$ 5 .5856 a; g 52 58 54 b6 4 Ly 4 1 I 44 12 W 44 w w 54 4 2 w 6 8 2o 2O 10 l6Fig? Q INVENTOR.

W01? StC-Luman Jan. 11, 1966 W.STE1MAN DISPENSING PUMP VALVE STRUCTURE 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 27, 1964 AGENT n w x 9% ma ill! 1 mm\\\.-V//./#V vmm M 1|I .1 7 :mw l l V W l 5 xflu n gill, w a, w w a 10MBM 5 {D 4 W B 10 2 1D 7 6 w w v .5. w 9 415x527 $1 /e 1 v 1v UnitedStates Patent 3,228,570 DISPENSING PUMP VALVE STRUCTURE Wolf Steiman,Fairfieid, Conn., assignor to Valve Corporation of America, Bridgeport,Conn., a corporation of Delaware Filed May 27, 1964, Ser. No. 370,562 7Claims. (Cl. 222-321) This invention relates to hand-operated atomizersof the pump type, and more particularly to the pump and valve structuresthereof.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved dispensingpump and valve construction for small hand-held, hand-operatedatomizers, which construction is especially simple, requiring only few,easily made and assembled parts (including a minimum number of movableparts) all to the end that the cost is surprisingly low.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved dispensingpump and valve construction as above set forth, which is eifective andreliable in its operation over an extended period of time or use.

A feature of the invention resides in the provision of an improvedatomizer pump and discharge valve, wherein the latter opens in responseto depressing movement of the actuator button and compression pressuresin the cylinder, said opening being aided by the action of a compressiontype actuator return spring.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of an improvedpump and valve construction as outlined, wherein the valve and valveseat are both carried by the depressible button structure, one of saidparts being movable away from the other partly under the action of the"button return spring as the button is being depressed.

An additional feature of the invention resides in the provision of animproved pump and valve construction as characterized, wherein thepiston and valve seat are constituted of compressible or displaceablematerial the action of which is utilized to effect the opening of thedischarge valve.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved pump andvalve construction of the kind indicated, wherein a quick and effectiveopening of the discharge valve is had with but little force beingrequired.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings accompanying this specification, similar characters ofreference are used to designate like components throughout the severalviews, in which:

FIG. 1 is an axial sectional view of a pump and valve construction asprovided by the invention, the parts being shown in the closed orinoperative position.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the structures of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 but showing the parts in thedischarge position with the actuator button fully depressed.

FIG. 4 is a transverse or horizontal section, taken on the line 44 ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an axial sectional view of a pump and valve constructionillustrating a modification of the invention, the parts being in theclosed or inoperative position.

FIG. 6 is a view like that of FIG. 5, but showing the dischargingposition of the parts.

FIG. 7 is an axial sectional view of a pump and valve constructionillustrating yet another modification of the invention, with the partsin the closed or inoperative position.

FIG. 8 is a transverse or horizontal section, taken on the line 88 ofFIG. 7.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-4, there is illustrated a container or bottle10 carrying a screw cap 12 which mounts a depending pump cylinder 14. Atits bottom, the cylinder 14 has a dip tube 16, as well as a gravitycontrolled ball-check valve 18, carried in an annular valve seat 20.

In a central opening, the cap 12 has a depressible plunger member 22carrying a cap body 24 including a depending skirt or shell 26. The capbody 24 has a discharge passage 28 communicating with a spray head 30,all in the usual manner.

Within the cylinder 14 there is a piston or plunger return spring 32which is disposed in the main chamber 34. The plunger 22 is movablevertically in the cylinder 14, having the usual loose or sliding fit inthe same and also in the screw cap 12.

In accordance with the present invention, in conjunction with the abovestructures there is provided a novel discharge valve assemblagecomprising a valve seat and a valve both of which are carried by theplunger 22, one of said parts being resilient and displaceable from theother to effect an opening of the discharge passage through the plunger22. The valve construction also is associated with a piston skirt whichis cooperable with the lower end of the plunger 22, to effect thepumping action in the cylinder 14.

As shown, the piston comprises a conical resilient skirt member 38 ofrubber or rubber-like composition, carried by a resilient hollow andtubular stem 40 which latter is closely fitted in a cylindrical bore 42of the plunger. The lower end of the tubular stem 40, comprising alsothe inner portions of the skirt 38 constitutes a valve seat, andcooperable with the said seat is a valve head 44 carried by a valve stem46 passing up through the piston stem 40 and the plunger 22 and having amounting spider 48 by which it is rigidly secured to the body 24 of theactuator button. Clearance exists between the spider 48, stem 46 of thevalve and the interior of the plunger 22 and piston stem 40, suchclearance constituting the discharge passage for the upward flow ofsubstance from the container 10 at such time that the button isdepressed to effect a discharge of said substance.

As may be seen from an inspection of FIG. 1, the engagement between thevalve head 44 and the valve seat portion (labelled 52) of the pistonstem normally closes the discharge passage through the plunger 22. Thepiston return spring 32 at its upper end engages the bottom annular faceof the valve seat portion 52 of the piston stem 40, and in accordancewith the present invention, such spring serves a double function. It notonly affects the return or upward movement of the piston and the depressbutton when operating force is removed from the latter, but it alsohelps to effect the opening of the discharge valve 42, 52 at such timethat the button is being depressed. Such open condition of the dischargevalve is illustrated in FIG. 3.

The upward force exerted by the compressed return spring 32, acting onthe bottom annular surface of the valve seat 52 helps, in conjunctionwith the fluid pressure in the cylinder, to axially shift or compressthe resilient piston stem 40, the combined action moving the valve seat52 away from thevalve 44 in the manner shown in FIG. 3. Such movement ismostly eifected by pressures on the piston skirt 38, due to thecompressed air and liquid substance in the cylinder chamber 34 aseffected by the downward movement of the plunger 22 and the piston 38.However, it is considered that a minor portion of the opening forceacting on the valve seat 52 is provided by the compressed spring 32, andthat a major portion results from the compressed mixture in the cylinderchamber 34. I

For the purpose of facilitating the displacement of the valve seatportion 52, the lower end of the plunger 22 may be provided with anannular recess or groove 54 in its otherwise conical backing surface 56,such backing surface engaging the piston skirt 38 to reinforce thelatter in the well known manner. By the provision of the annular groove54 the axial compression and shifting of the piston stem 40 may also beaccompanied by a somewhat radial outward displacement of the seatportion 52 as clearly shown in FIG. 3. The combination of thesedisplacing actions etfects a separation of the valve seat 52 from thevalve head 44, this occurring at the initial stage of the depressingmovement of the actuator button. Upon continued downward movement of theactuator button, an appreciable portion of the contents of the cylinderchamber 34 will be discharged upward through the plunger 22, suchsubstance passing between the valve stem 46 and the inner walls of theplunger 22 and piston stem 40, and being discharged through the lateralpassage 28 and the orifice 30, as will be understood.

Upon release of the actuating force from the actuator button, the returnspring 32 will raise the button and the plunger 22 with the piston 38 tothe initial or starting position shown in FIG. 1, with the valve seat 52already again engaging the valve head 44, closing the discharge passage,sucking in a new charge of liquid, and preventing leakage of thecontents of the container even though the dispenser be held in aninverted position.

Replacement air may enter the container 10 through an aperture 57 in thecylinder 14, and past a flexible annular valve washer 58, as may bereadily understood.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. Inthis embodiment parts which are similar to those already described abovehave been given like characters, with the addition of the suflix a. InFIGS. 5 and 6, the plunger 22a has a larger or more pronounced annularrelief or cavity 54a surrounding the valve seat portion 52a of thepiston stern 40a. Also, the generally conical skirt 38a of the pistonhas a stepped configuration together with a weakened wall portion 60located between the valve seat portion 52a and the area of engagementwith the return spring 32a. When, :as seen in FIG. 6, the actuatorbutton is depressed, the force of the compressed piston spring 32a helpsto cause a flexing of the weakened wall portion 60 of the piston member,whereby the valve seat portion 52a radially separates from the valvehead 44a in the manner indicated. The construction of FIGS. 5 and 6facilitates the lateral or radial outward movement of the valve seat52a, as compared with the construction of FIGS. 1-4.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8,wherein similar parts have been labelled with like characters, buthaving the suflix b. In these figures, the plunger 22b having theannular clearance 54b, carries a resilient tubular piston stem 4% havinga plurality of longitudinally disposed ribs 64 extending between the endportions of the piston stem. By the provision of the ribs 64, adischarge passage will always exist between the piston stem 49b and thevalve stem 46b regardless of the displacing action of the valve seatportion 52b of the piston member. Even if the ribs 64 contact the valvestem 46b, upward flow of substance from the container may continuethrough the spaces located between the ribs. 7

The operation of the various forms of the invention described aboveinvolves essentially a separation of one of two cooperable valveelements by virtue of such element being acted on by compressed liquidin the cylinder and by the piston return spring, and being constitutedof a resilient or readily displaceable material or substance. In eachinstance shown in the drawings, the valve seat is shifted away from thevalve member under the combined action of the compressed piston returnspring and the compressed liquid.

It will be understood from the foregoing that I have provided a noveland improved, especially simple discharge valve construction for anatomizer pump assem blage, which construction involves relatively fewparts, including the fewest possible movable parts, while yet effectinga reliable seal to prevent leakage of the container contents. Theopening of the discharge valve is effected in consequence of compressionof the cylinder liquid and of the actuator return spring, and does notdepend only on the compression of the mixture in the cylinder chamber.Accordingly, the operation of the discharge valve is of a positivenature, partly independent of functioning of the piston to compress thecontents of the cylinder. The parts involved may be quickly,economically fabricated and assembled, resulting in an extremely lowcost item.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims,and portions of the improvement may be used without others.

I claim:

1. In a dispensing pump, a valve construction comprising, incombination:

(a) a cylinder,

(b) a piston rod and piston movable in the cylinder to and from adepressed position and having a central discharge passage,

(0) a compression return spring biasing the piston away from itsdepressed position, and

(d) valve means including a movable part the movement of which opens andcloses the valve means and is engaged by said compression spring forcontrolling said discharge passage, said part being operated in smallmeasure by increased compression of the spring and in large measure byelevated pressures in the cylinder, to open said passage for the flow offluid therethrough when the rod and piston are depressed.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the piston rod and piston comprise respectively a resilient hollowand tubular stern and a skirt carried by the stem and engaging thecylinder,

(b) .a hollow plunger is provided, in which the piston stem fits and iscarried,

(0) said valve means comprising a valve stem carried by the plunger andextending through the piston stem with substantial clearance, includinga valve seat on one end of the piston stern, and including a valve headon the valve stem, engaged with the valve seat to close off the bore ofthe piston stern,

(d) one end of said spring engaging the valve seat portion of the pistonstem,

'(e) movement of the plunger in a direction toward the piston springcausing the latter to aid in displacing the piston stern and in shiftingthe valve seat thereof away from the valve head, thereby to open thepars sage through the piston stem.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2, wherein:

' (a) the piston skirt is conical,

(b) said piston stem being cylindrical and the valve s1e at thereof alsoconstituting part of the conical s irt,

(c) said hollow plunger having a cylindrical bore receiving the pistonstem, having an enlarged flange engaged with and backing up the pistonskirt, and having an annular recess surroundingthe valve seat of thestem to provide a clearance space into which the valve seat portion ofthe stern may be displaced.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3, wherein:

(a) the piston stem has a plurality of ribs in its bore,

extending between its end portions, the spaces between said ribsconstituting non-closing passages between the said two stems.

5. The invention as defined in claim 3, wherein:

(a) the piston has an annular weakened portion disposed between the saidvalve seat and the area of engagement by the spring end, said portionflexing and the valve seat spreading when the plunger is moved towardthe spring.

6. The invention as defined in claim 2, wherein:

(a) the piston skirt is of stepped, generally conical configuration withan annular weakened portion dis- 3,228,570 5 6 posed between the valveseat and the area of engage- (b) said piston stern having an outercylindrical surface rnent by the spring, and closely confined by theplunger. (b) the plunger engages and supports the piston on oppositesides of said annular weakened portion. 7. The invention as defined inclaim 2, wherein: 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS (a) the piston stern has aplurality of ribs in its bore, 2,489,976 11/1949 Perwas 103-178 Xextending between its end portions, the spaces between said ribsconstituting non-closing passages be- RAPHAEL LUPO Pnmary Exammer' tweenthe said two stems, 10 HADD S. LANE, Examiner.

References Cited by the Examiner

1. IN A DISPENSING PUMP, A VALVE CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING, INCOMBINATION: (A) A CYLINDER, (B) A PISTON ROD AND PISTON MOVABLE IN THECYLINDER TO AND FROM A DEPRESSED POSITION AND HAVING A CENTRAL DISCHARGEPASSAGE, (C) A COMPRESSION RETURN SPRING BIASING THE PISTON AWAY FROMITS DEPRESSED POSITION, AND (D) VALVE MEANS INCLUDING A MOVABLE PART THEMOVEMENT OF WHICH OPENS AND CLOSES THE VALVE MEANS AND IS ENGAGED BYSAID COMPRESSION SPRING FOR CONTROLLING SAID DISCHARGE PASSAGE, SAIDPART BEING OPERATED IN SMALL MEASURE BY INCREASED COMPRESSION OF THESPRING